Commanders Training Camp: Food, Video Games, and Rest for Players on Sunday

To some it might seem like a simple day off for Washington Commanders players on Sunday, but for those in the middle of it the rest is an opportunity to combat fatigue and get ready for the next week’s practices.

ASHBURN, Va. — The Washington Commanders may have just started training camp, but it’s clear the team needed a day off Sunday before entering Week 2 of their preseason preparations. 

“You saw a little bit of it,” Commanders coach Ron Rivera said when asked if player fatigue was noticeable after the first four days of training camp. “But the thing that I saw mostly was the focus and attention near the end of practice. We had a few too many mistakes…some illegal procedures…And that’s what our guys have to understand is you gotta build this callousness, this toughness to fatigue and the heat.”

Rivera also understands the importance of taking a step away when possible to recharge, reset, and come back better than before. 

As players take the day off to do just that, some of them are going about it in different ways. 

Newly signed Washington receiver Byron Pringle told us he’s going to set his sights on finding some good soul food in the area. 

Third-year receiver Dax Milne didn’t have specific plans, but said he was looking forward to relaxing his body a bit as he continues toward his goal of meeting fan desires that he become a more explosive punt return specialist this season.

For new offensive tackle Andrew Wylie, he’s going to remain competitive, just not physically. 

“It’s just as important to rest the mental as well as your body,” Wylie says. “So, I’m hanging out, I’m working through the Halo campaign right now…maybe play four or five hours of that…But, you know, just stay hydrated, eat right, relax.”

As he left the media tent the veteran tackle made sure to clarify that he’s playing the game on ‘Legendary Mode,’ so it was not going to be a walk in the park. Not that it would be a bad idea to do so on a Sunday afternoon in Ashburn, Virginia.

Good food, good rest, and a moment to relax in the beginning stages of grueling training camp practices and heat. 

Just in time for pads to come on in Week 2, which begins on Monday. 

It may seem inconsequential to some, but the value the Commanders put into recovering and executing their down time correctly can be just as important as the play-calling that happens on Sundays. 

So even when there are no whistles or fans in the stands, there’s important business being tended to by Washington’s players. 

Find David Harrison on the Locked On Commanders podcast or text him directly at (202) 760-2188.

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